Month: April 2022

The Healthy Advisor: Barred But Not Broken

The Healthy Advisor: Barred But Not Broken

In 2011, Jeff Martinovich was barred by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority from any role in selling securities or associating with FINRA members, and he’s currently serving a 16-year prison sentence, with about 2.5 years more on home confinement in Norfolk, Va. An ankle monitor on his left ankle keeps tabs on his movements. 

But Martinovich has few regrets with the decisions he made, including rejecting three government plea deals. He hasn’t let his experiences defeat him, as many barred brokers have; rather, he believes it’s all part of a larger purpose in life and that what you take away from those moments shapes who you become in the future.

“I don’t think we come down on the planet to lead this life of luxury, retire and go fishing every day,” he says. “I think it’s all a journey, and it’s about overcoming fear and all of us are faced with these incredible challenges at different times.”

In this episode, Diana Britton is joined by Jeff Martinovich, First Gulf War veteran, CEO of JAM Accelerator, a business consulting and incubation firm, former founder and CEO of MICG Investment Management and author of “Just One More: The Wisdom of Bob Vukovich.” Jeff shares his experience growing his first business and how he found himself in legal trouble, eventually going to trial against the U.S. Government and ultimately prison.

Diana and Jeff discuss: 

  • How Jeff’s legal troubles began, his experience with trial and in prison
  • What made him reject three government plea deals
  • What kept him from falling victim to despair
  • How Jeff was able to grow from his experience and build a new company
  • Whether he has any regrets with regards to how he handled the ordeal
  • The love story that was going on during this whole experience, and the good things that came out of it

Connect With Jeff Martinovich:

Connect With Wealth Management & NREI:

About Our Guest:

Jeff Martinovich has thirty-years of experience building startups and executing mergers and acquisitions. He has enjoyed extraordinary success in business and life, as well as overcome great failure, all which provide JAM Accelerator clients and partners a rare library of wisdom for not only building significant shareholder value, but also protecting it. Jeff’s commitment to stand up for what’s right following the 2008 Financial Crisis, and the resulting legal challenges, are the topics of multiple books and national articles.

Jeff is generous with his expertise in leadership and management, financial statements and strategies, sales and growth outperformance, and operational efficiencies to increase gross and net margins. On top of everything, Jeff’s engaging personality and commitment to joint success create an enjoyable experience with advisor and client. Many great successes and failures bring wisdom, experience and the ability to now see around corners.

 

The Healthy Advisor: Healing From Physical and Mental Abuse of the Past

The Healthy Advisor: Healing From Physical and Mental Abuse of the Past

Our experiences throughout childhood can have a major impact on the way we live our lives into adulthood. But after meeting Marc Nichols, you might never have guessed the trauma that he experienced growing up, one he describes as “inconsistent.” 

In this episode, Diana Britton is joined by Nichols, product director at Arbor Digital, who opens up about being the victim of sexual and mental abuse by people he was supposed to look up to and trust. During much of his childhood, he lived in an all-female household, so he has struggled with traditional definitions of masculinity in an industry that is still male dominated. 

Yet he came out of those experiences a stronger person, and has even become somewhat of an advocate for mental health and healing in the financial services industry. 

Marc discusses: 

  • What it was like growing up with divorced parents who had little money
  • The physical and emotional trauma he endured
  • How his connection with his twin sister shaped him
  • The gender expectations in financial services
  • His path to healing 
  • The importance of therapy 
  • And more

Connect With Marc Nichols:

Connect With Wealth Management & NREI:

About Our Guest:

Marc brings his experience as a Certified Investment Management Analyst CIMA® and Wealth Management Certified Professional WMCP® to serve as Product Director for Arbor Digital’s suite of SMA offerings. Marc also holds a Certificate in Blockchain and Digital Assets® and serves as an asset analyst and portfolio manager. You will also find Marc sharing responsibilities as manager of Investor Relations.

Prior to joining Arbor Digital, Marc started his career as a professional tennis player and coach before transitioning to financial services as an associate advisor with Merrill Lynch in Princeton, N.J. Seeking to further develop himself through serving others, Marc started an advisory business to meet the wealth management needs of clients in the New York and New Jersey market with Charles Schwab.

This episode has referenced mental abuse, physical abuse and sexual assult.  If you or someone you know is experiencing a similar situation, please contact your local resources or click the link below for more informational resources.  https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/tools-resources/individuals/index.htm